Asiedu-Nketia is confused — Mike Oquaye Jnr

National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia’s reaction to Nana Akufo-Addo’s formal announcement Thursday to run for President in 2016 shows the NDC man is “confused”, says Mike Oquaye Jnr.

“First of all he [Asiedu-Nketia] says the NPP has chosen Nana Akufo-Addo; the NPP hasn’t chosen Nana Akufo-Addo”, Mr Oquaye Jnr, a lawyer and member of New Patriotic Party (NPP) clarified.

Mr Oquaye Jnr said what Nana did on Thursday at his residence was only “to put his hat in the ring” — to pick forms to contest the NPP Flagbearship slot when the time comes.

Mr Asiedu-Nketia (aka General Mosquito) in a press conference organised by the governing NDC in a quick reaction to Nana Akufo-Addo’s intention to compete in elections in 2016 stated that if he were tasked to render consultancy services to the NPP, he would have advised the party to choose a younger candidate.

He also described Nana Akufo-Addo — who has been unsuccessful twice at elections for the Presidency — as a “sunset candidate,” adding that he will easily be beaten again at the polls in 2016.

According to Mr Asiedu-Nketia, Nana Akufo-Addo is old and has lost his youthful exuberance, factors General Mosquito is convinced will work against Akufo-Addo when the race for the Presidency gets heated.

But Mike Oquaye Jnr disagrees. Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana on Thursday March 20, 2014 Mr Oquaye said contrary to Asiedu-Nketia’s assertions, Nana Akufo-Addo is still a fit and young man who can brace whatever is thrown at him.

“I don’t expect Asiedu-Nketia to give us any good advice. He should keep all his advice for his party who are giving us all the corruption and things we are very ashamed of at the moment” Mr Oquaye Jnr quibbed.

In fact, Nana Akufo-Addo has only declared his intentions to run for President in 2016 — insists Mr Oquaye Jnr.

According him, Nana Akufo-Addo’s announcement yesterday must be interpreted to mean”if God gives him strength, if God gives him the permission, if the party (NPP) accepts him” he will run in 2016.

Mr Oquaye said although party stalwarts like Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the NPP Chairman, And Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, the party General Secretary, were present at the event where Nana Akufo-Addo declared his intention to run in 2016, it does not mean the party has endorsed him.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, said yestterday that he will run for president for the third consecutive time in 2016. /politics/2014/March-20th/i-will-contest-for-president-in-2016-at-a-young-age-of-70-akufo-addo.php

According to him after broad consultation with key party leaders and grassroot supporters, he came to conclusion that his decision is in the supreme interest of the NPP.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | george.nyavor@myjoyonline.com